By 1871, due to the reputation of it’s healing mineral springs and pleasing summer climate, Fincastle had become a favorite retreat, especially for the people of New Orleans. They came to escape the heat and the feared Yellow Fever.

William B. Hayth recognized the need for a comfortable establishment to accommodate the tourists. So, in 1872, he opened the Hayth Hotel. It was a beautiful hotel, in a perfect setting, with its wide verandahs, shaded by the many aspen trees that surrounded the building providing them with a comfortable place to stroll or just sit for hours, enjoying the scenery and conversing with one another. It also had a ball room and a bowling alley. Adjoining the hotel was a lovely millinery shop, owned and operated by his wife, Sarah Peck Hayth. It carried the latest fashions from New York, Baltimore, and Richmond. The town prospered and so did the hotel.

When William B. Hayth died in August of 1892, there must have been great concern as to the future of the hotel, but there was no need, for Bowyer Hayth, his son, took over the management and with his keen eye for business and charming manners, the hotel continued to prosper. He would always greet his guests warmly, bowing and kissing the ladies' hands.

In 1894, Fincastle was a fast growing town and with the hotel filled to capacity, Bowyer Hayth felt a need to enlarge. In 1895 he opened a new three story addition on the east side. It was built by Gratton T. Firebaugh. The entire first floor served as a music hall. On the upper floor, there were eight bedrooms and the hallways were eight feet wide. In the music room, there were many parties, balls and vocal, instrumental and even whistling choruses.

Mr. Hayth owned and operated a livery service for the convenience of his patrons and the townspeople. He had a six-acre garden on the hotel grounds and a farm nearby. He was well equipped to care for all the needs of his guests. No only could he furnish them the best in accommodations, but he could also meet the train at Montvale, transport them by carriage and provide them with a homey atmosphere. He served fresh vegetables and healthy dairy products, such as eggs, butter and milk.

From an article in the Fincastle Herald, November, 1917, it was described as "a hotel that made you feel at home and everything was done for your comfort and pleasure." It could provide lodgings for one hundred and fifty people.

When the reputation of the healing waters faded, the hotel continued to be a favorite place. It was in operation until a few years before Bowyer Hayth’s death in 1937.

Today, part of the hotel still stands on Roanoke Street, with its future uncertain. That era has long since taken its place in history, yet in the quiet town of Fincastle, on a warm summer’s evening, if one listens close enough, the echoes of laughter and music can still be heard, softly floating across the evening breeze.